Assessment

ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines


LinguaFolio
What is LinguaFolio?

LinguaFolio Checklist - Interpersonal Speaking/Listening

Language:	(1) I can do this easily and well	(2) This is one of my goals
Interpersonal Speaking – Novice Low
I can greet people in a polite way. • I can say hello to a person I do not know. • I can say hello to an adult. • I can say hello to my teacher. • I can say hello to someone my age or younger.
I can introduce myself to someone.
I can answer simple questions using a single word. • I can respond to a simple yes/no question. • I can answer a simple either/or question.
I can respond to questions about my preferences using one or more words. • I can respond to a simple question about my preferences. • I can answer a simple either/or question about my preferences.
I can express my reaction to a statement using one or more words. • I can express a positive reaction like: Great! • I can express a sympathetic reaction like: That’s too bad! • I can express a negative reaction like: That’s horrible! • I can express agreement with a reaction like: OK • I can express neutrality: So-So.
Interpersonal Speaking – Novice Mid
I can introduce myself and others using basic culturally appropriate greetings. • I can introduce myself and someone else. • I can respond appropriate to an introduction (e.g. “I am happy to meet you.”).
I can ask simple questions and give simple responses on familiar topics such as: • What I like and dislike • What I am doing • Where I am going • When I am going to do something • Who someone is • What day it is • What the weather is like
I can exchange information about myself, my family, and familiar things using simple phrases. • I can say my name and ask someone what his/her name is. • I can identify the members of my family by relationships and ask someone about his/her family with a simple question. • I can exchange simple descriptions of what people look like (e.g. tall, short, brown hair, blue eyes). • I can exchange simple descriptions about personality (e.g. happy, funny, intelligent, serious).
I can understand and say numbers in simple situations. • I can exchange information that requires counting (e.g. playing a board game, saying the score of a game, counting the number of people or items). • I can ask and understand how much something costs. • I can ask and give the time, date, birth date, age, and phone number.
Interpersonal Speaking – Novice High
I can exchange personal information • I can ask and give home address and email address. • I can ask and give nationality.
I can share some information with others about my family, friends, and free-time activities. • I can ask and tell about family members and their characteristics (e.g. tall, short, funny, serious). • I can ask and tell about friends, classmates, and teachers.
I can exchange information using simple texts, graphs, or pictures. • I can ask about and identify familiar things in a picture. • I can ask about and identify important information in a graph. • I can ask and respond to simple questions about dates, times, places, and events on schedules, posters, and tickets.
I can ask for and give directions with the help of a map or other visual aid. • I can ask for directions to a place. • I can tell someone how to get from one place to another (e.g. go straight, turn left, turn right). • I can tell someone where something is located (e.g. next to, across from, in the middle of).
I can exchange information with other people about what to do, where to go, and when to meet. • I can make simple plans to do something with someone. • I can exchange information about where or when to go or meet (e.g. store, movie, concert, restaurant).
I can invite someone to do something or go somewhere. • I can accept or refuse an invitation to do something or go somewhere.
I can interact using simple language in everyday situations. • I can order a meal. • I can make purchases (e.g. market, store, post office). • I can buy a ticket (e.g. bus, museum, concert).
Interpersonal Speaking – Intermediate Low
I can engage in simple conversation using phrases and complete sentences on most topics about everyday life. • I can engage in simple conversation about family or household tasks. • I can engage in simple conversation about hobbies and interests. • I can engage in simple conversation about work.
I can express reactions and emotions. • I can express happiness. • I can express sadness. • I can express .
I can exchange information about academic topics familiar to me. • I can ask and respond to factual questions about geography, history, art, music, math, science, and literature.
I can ask and answer questions on familiar topics to keep a conversation going. • I can ask for and give information on a familiar topic. • I can ask for and give clarification on a familiar topic. • I can ask for and give explanations on a familiar topic. • I can ask for and give examples on a familiar topic.
I can deal with simple situations. • I can check in at a hotel. • I can make a reservation for a tour or a meal at a restaurant. • I can make an appointment or reservation by phone. • I can call for a taxi. • I can ___.
Interpersonal Speaking – Intermediate Mid
I can ask and answer questions with some detail about routine personal information. • I can share preferences on a variety of topics, giving reasons for my preferences. • I can share details about my family and friends. • I can exchange information about daily routines. • I can exchange information about activities I did or am planning to do.
I can discuss and solve problems in uncomplicated situations. • I can request services (e.g. telephone services, plumbing, broken car). • I can reschedule a date if something comes up.
I can give and seek personal views and opinions in an information discussion. • I can exchange personal views and opinions on topics of current interest (e.g. music, movies, people in the news).
I can start, maintain, and end a conversation using a variety of strategies. • I can initiate a conversation with someone on a familiar topic. • I can ask for more information, details, and explanations in the course of a conversation with someone. • I can politely bring a conversation to a close.
I can discuss topics from other disciplines (e.g. geography, history, music, art, science, math, and literature).
Interpersonal Speaking – Intermediate High
I can ask for, follow, and give directions. • I can complete a multi-step task. • I can make something (e.g. recipe, craft). • I can get and follow directions to get from one place to another.
I can formulate questions and obtain information on a variety of topics. • I can ask and respond to who, what, when, where, how, why with details.
I can discuss information and opinions on social, professional, or academic topics.
I can receive and communicate detailed factual information related to areas of mutual interest.
I can convey degrees of emotion and react appropriately to the emotions of others. • I can express dissatisfaction, explaining and responding to others’ questions abut my dissatisfaction. • I can express frustration, confusion, or anger, explaining and responding to others’ questions. • I can express appreciation and gratitude. • I can express sadness and joy, explaining and responding to others’ questions.
I can express and support my opinions and make recommendations on a variety of topics in culturally appropriate ways. • I can agree with others’ opinions and give reasons why. • I can disagree with others’ opinions and give reasons why.

LinguaFolio Checklist – Interpretive Listening

Language: __	(1) I can do this easily and well	(2) This is one of my goals
Interpretive Listening – Novice Low
I can understand some commonly used words and expressions such as please and thank you.
I can understand basic information such as days of the week, months of the year, umbers, times, and dates.
I can understand names of objects in my immediate environment such as words for familiar objects found in classrooms.
I can follow a command, especially when people use gestures.
I can understand the difference between a question and a statement.
Interpretive Listening – Novice Mid
I can understand simple words and phrases about daily activities. • I can identify when someone describes his/her school or daily schedule. • I can identify when someone describes a daily routine after getting up in the morning.
I can understand words and phrases in simple messages and announcements, especially when there are pictures or other clues to help me. • I can identify a short audio announcement relating the time and place of a movie or sporting event. • I can follow a description of a typical day when visual support is provided.
I can understand some simple questions when accompanied by appropriate non-verbal clues and visuals. • I can comprehend when asked how old I am, what my name is, and where I live. • I can understand when someone asks me what sports I play, which hobbies I have, and what I like to do in my free time.
I can follow some simple directions or instructions, especially when people use gestures. • I can follow simple directions on a city map when told how to get there. • I can follow instructions for baking a cake or drawing a picture when I am doing this step by step with opportunity to ask for repetition.
I can understand some of what people say in a conversation when they are talking about familiar things. • I can comprehend the main idea when overhearing a conversation.
Interpretive Listening – Novice High
I can understand some words or phrases even when there are no pictures or visual clues. • I can comprehend short descriptions of people I know. • I can comprehend a radio advertisement for products I know.
I can understand some short, simple messages and announcements on familiar topics. • I can comprehend an announcement on the school intercom related to school activities. • I can comprehend a phone message (e.g. when told where to meet a friend). • I can comprehend where and when a sporting event will take place.
I can understand some simple conversations or descriptions. • I can comprehend short conversations about hobbies and sports. • I can comprehend the content of conversations related to my daily life and routine.
I can understand most directions or instructions in a familiar setting. • I can follow directions when a familiar city map is provided. • I can follow instructions (e.g. Internet videos).
I can understand simple stories. • I can comprehend familiar stories that are sequenced and progress in a logical order. • I can comprehend a simple story acted out with props and gestures.
Interpretive Listening – Intermediate Low
I can understand the main idea and a few details of what I hear in short conversations and oral presentations. • I can comprehend the content of short conversations related to my daily life. • I can identify the main idea when listening to an oral presentation on a topic familiar to me.
I can identify main ideas and few details in familiar topics presented via TV or streamed video. • I can understand a television advertisement about a product with which I am familiar. • I can understand the weather broadcast on television. • I can comprehend short video clips on the Internet about topics of interest to me.
I can follow the general plot of some video clips or films in which visuals and action carry much of the storyline. • I can comprehend the content of a short YouTube video. • I can comprehend the main idea and a few details from a movie trailer on the Internet.
I can understand the main idea and a few details in messages or announcements on familiar topics. • I can comprehend announcements of sports scores. • I can comprehend radio announcements of song titles and the recording artists. • I can comprehend clear train/bus stop announcements. • I can comprehend the instructions for preparing a flight before takeoff.
I can identify main ideas and a few details in familiar topics presented via media. • I can comprehend most content by an announcer narrating a soccer game. • I can comprehend announcements relating upcoming events. • I can comprehend talk shows on familiar topics. • I can comprehend main ideas in a newscast.
Interpretive Listening – Intermediate Mid
I can understand the main idea and some details of oral presentations on familiar topics. • I can comprehend an introduction and supporting details about recording artists with whom I am familiar. • I can comprehend the main idea and some supporting details of a short lecture. • I can comprehend a short speech.
I can understand the main ideas and some ideas of TV and radio programs, films, and computer-generated media on topics of personal interest. • I can watch short cartoons and identify the main ideas. • I can listen to a sports commentator and comprehend the events of the game. • I can listen to a call-in radio show and identify the main idea of the caller.
I can understand the main idea and some details of a short discussion or interview on a familiar topic. • I can comprehend an interview of an individual. • I can comprehend the points of view represented by various individuals.
I can follow the main idea and a few details of a conversation, even when the topic changes. • I can follow the conversation when there is a change in topic or theme. • I can follow the conversation when several speakers are talking. • I can follow the conversation when individuals talk about events in past, present, and future.
Interpretive Listening – Intermediate High
I can understand factual information about everyday life, study-, or work-related topics. • I can comprehend factual information and supporting details presented in speech, lecture, or presentation (e.g. the state of the environment, the cost of gas, or current music artists).
I can understand conversations, discussions, and stories on a variety of topics. • I can listen to a story and identify the plot, sequence of events, and supporting details. • I can listen to a conversation and identify the topic and supporting details.
I can identify main ideas and many details of topics presented on TV, radio, short films, and computer-generated media. • I can comprehend a speaker’s intent, cultural perspective, and message with supporting details presented via radio, TV, and podcasts.
I can follow the plot and details in a feature-length film. • I can distinguish events that occurred in the past and present. • I can comprehend some regional, colloquial, and idiomatic expressions.

LinguaFolio Checklist – Interpretive Reading

Language:	(1) I can do this easily and well	(2) This is one of my goals
Interpretive Reading – Novice Low
I can connect some characters or letters to their sounds.
I can connect some characters or letters to their meanings.
I can recognize words, phrases, and characters with help from visuals.
I can follow along on the page when something familiar is read out loud. • Identify months in calendars • Identify days of the week in calendars • Identify holidays placed on a calendar
I can identify some cognates or characters that help me understand meaning.
Interpretive Reading – Novice Mid
I can read a simple sentence on a familiar topic. • About my family • About food • About
I can understand short, simple descriptions, especially if there are pictures or graphs. • Descriptions about people • Descriptions about things • Descriptions about places
I can understand lists. • I can identify tasks on a to-do list (e.g. house cleaning tasks, homework). • I can identify familiar items on a shopping list (e.g. food, beverage, clothing, consumer goods).
I can understand familiar names, words, characters, and some very basic phrases in everyday situations. • I can identify words related to school. • I can identify words related to homes. • I can identify words related to people. • I can identify words related to culture.
I can understand the purpose of simple, everyday materials. • I can recognize advertisements, brochures, menu lists, schedules, greeting cards, and business cards. • I can comprehend the message in greeting cards (e.g. birthday, New Year’s, thank you). • I can identify destinations and major attractions in travel brochures. • I can locate places on city maps.
Interpretive Reading – Novice High
I can get information I need on familiar topics. • I can comprehend information from advertisements, brochures, lists, menus, and schedules. • I can comprehend personal notes, emails, and postcards.
I can understand everyday notices in public places. • I can follow directions and instructions.
I can identify the purpose of and information needed on applications and forms. • I can comprehend forms (e.g. school registration, international student identification application, hotel registration, driver’s license).
I can follow short written instructions and directions supported by visuals. • I can use an ATM machine. • I can purchase stamps from a machine. • I can make an online purchase.
I can understand the main idea and a few details in texts I read. • I can read short stories, short plays, and poems and identify the main ideas when supported by visuals. • I can read comics and follow the story line. • I can comprehend short descriptions or reviews in TV or entertainment guides.
I can understand basic facts and information from nonfiction texts, especially with help from pictures or graphs. • I can read parts of the newspaper related to my interest and identify the main ideas (e.g. sports, entertainment). • I can locate and comprehend Internet sites related to my interest and identify the main content.
Interpretive Reading – Intermediate Low
I can understand messages such as an email or letter in which the writer tells or asks me about topics of interest.
I can find and use familiar information for practical purposes. • I can read a movie review and comprehend the plot in order to decide whether or not to see it. • I can read a restaurant review to guide my choice. • I can read a travel brochure or Internet site to determine a travel destination.
I can access information from Internet sources. • I can use this information to guide my travel plans. • I can use blogs and wikis to become informed about individuals and current events.
I can use information from a variety of sources to guide my plans and needs related to my studies and job. • I can comprehend job descriptions, online course syllabi, and job opportunities. • I can comprehend online information to support my research and studies.
I can comprehend short literary texts with support. • I can identify the main idea and a sequenced plot.
Interpretive Reading – Intermediate Mid
I can understand information in virtual communities on topics of interest. • I can comprehend a variety of texts found online.
I can understand the main idea and some details from articles about world events (e.g. elections, the Olympics, the environment). • I can comprehend texts related to issues of global importance such as health and nutrition, environment, and scientific discoveries. • I can comprehend human interest sources and texts related to improving quality of life. • I can comprehend __.
I can understand short literary selections with support. • I can predict what may happen. • I can make up an ending. • I can sequence and illustrate the content. • I can use a graphic organizer to organize, summarize, and analyze the content. • I can identify the author’s perspective. • I can identify the historical and cultural context of the text.
Interpretive Reading – Intermediate High
I can demonstrate understanding of online communication on a wide variety of topics. • I can identify the author’s point of view and support arguments (e.g. blog). • I can compare and contrast cultural perspectives of various national and international media. • I can identify historical, political, and social aspects of an issue.
I can find and use needed information from multiple sources for a research task. • I can use and include multiple online resources to support a research report. • I can read and recognize a variety of points of view and reconcile the results.
I can understand the main idea and many details in literary texts such as poems, stories, plays, and short novels. • I can compare and contrast characters and events. • I can comprehend the historical and cultural context of the literary genre. • I can comprehend author voice and author intent. • I can identify symbolism, metaphor, and other literary devices.

LinguaFolio Checklist – Presentational Speaking

Language:	(1) I can do this easily and well	(2) This is one of my goals
Presentational Speaking – Novice Low
I can imitate the sounds and words that I hear.
I can say the names of familiar people, places, and objects in pictures and posters.
I can introduce myself.
I can say short memorized phrases, parts of poems, and rhymes.
Presentational Speaking – Novice Mid
I can present personal information about myself and others using words and simple phrases. • I can state my name, age, and where I am from. • I can give my phone number, home address, and email address. • I can say things about my physical appearance. • I can say things about my personality. • I can say things about .
I can express my likes and dislikes. • I can express which sports I like and don’t like. • I can express my favorite free-time activities and those I don’t like. • I can state my favorite foods and drinks and those I don’t like. • I can express _ I like and don’t like.
I can describe my daily schedule. • I can identify my classes and when they occur. • I can state activities and times in my daily schedule.
Presentational Speaking – Novice High
I can use phrases and sentences to describe aspects of my daily life. • I can talk about my family and friends. • I can talk about school. • I can talk about myself. • I can talk about .
I can present simple information about things I know. • I can present on cultural information based on pictures or photos. • I can present about something I learned . • I can present _.
I can describe a familiar experience or event in simple terms. • I can describe what I do during the weekend. • I can describe what happens at a sports event. • I can describe .
I can talk about others. • I can talk about others’ likes and dislikes. • I can talk about others’ free-time activities. • I can give biographical information about others. • I can talk about others’ _.
I can give simple instructions or directions. • I can tell someone how to do something. • I can give directions to a location.
Presentational Speaking – Intermediate Low
I can use a series of sentences to describe people, things, and events. • I can describe people using series of sentences. • I can describe things in a series of sentences. • I can describe events in a series of sentences.
I can use a series of sentences to express my needs, wants, and plans. • I can describe what I need for school or work. • I can describe what my plans are for the weekend. • I can describe what my vacation plans are. • I can describe what I plan to do after I finish school. • I can describe _.
I can give a short presentation about things I know. • I can do a short presentation on a current event. • I can do a short presentation on an academic topic. • I can do a short presentation on a famous person or cultural landmark.
I can prepare a short series of instructions.
I can prepare and present a short, rehearsed interview, skirt, or dramatic presentation.
I can express my opinion and give reasons. • I can express my opinion about friends and family. • I can express my opinion about a cultural topic. • I can express my opinion about .
Presentational Speaking – Intermediate Mid
I can give supporting details about plans and actions. • I can describe my plans for the future. • I can describe how to plan an event such as an outing.
I can make a short, on-demand presentation on a familiar topic. • I can give a short presentation about my family. • I can give a short presentation about my school. • I can give a short presentation on my interests. • I can give a short presentation on _.
I can state my opinion and give reasons (e.g. cell phone use in schools, school uniforms, minimum wage, environment).
I can tell or summarize a story. • I can tell a story. • I can tell a joke. • I can summarize a plot of a movie or TV show. • I can summarize .
I can describe, tell about, and explain with some detail things I know about or have experienced and give my reactions to them. • I can describe a childhood experience and how I felt about it. • I can describe a memorable vacation and how I felt about it. • I can describe a social event that I attended and how I felt about it. • I can describe a memorable holiday celebration and how I felt about it.
Presentational Speaking – Intermediate High
I can describe and narrate my personal experiences, everyday events, and present topics of general interest. • I can describe a TV show. • I can describe an event. • I can summarize a short conversation. • I can .
I can present on a variety of topics of personal and academic interest. • I can give a presentation on a cultural symbol or person. • I can give a presentation on something I have studied. • I can give a presentation on leisure activities in a variety of cultures. • I can give a presentation on .
I can describe my dreams, hopes, and ambitions. • I can describe what I plan to do in the next five or ten years and why. • I can describe how I will use my language in the future.
I can present my viewpoint on an issue and support my opinion. • I can talk about the relationship of the U.S. with other countries. • I can express my opinion on contemporary culture and society. • I can express my viewpoint on ___ and support it.
I can narrate and describe past, present, and future events. • I can tell about memorable events in the past. • I can describe current events. • I can describe my hopes for the future of the world.

LinguaFolio Checklist – Presentational Writing

Language:	(1) I can do this easily and well	(2) This is one of my goals
Presentational Writing – Novice Low
I can write phrases and simple sentences to describe aspects of my everyday life. • I can write about my family and friends. • I can write about school. • I can write about myself. • I can write about _.
I can write short notes. • I can write postcards. • I can write messages (e.g. text messages, notes). • I can jot down short notes (e.g. phone numbers, times, movies).
I can write simple requests to obtain information or things that I need or want. • I can write a short email asking for information. • I can handwrite a short note asking for information.
I can write simple sentences about cultural features based on pictures or photos.
Presentational Writing – Novice Mid
I can fill out a simple form with some basic personal information. • I can order or register for something by hand (e.g. complete name, address, phone number, birth date). • I can order or register for something online.
I can write about myself using learned phrases and memorized expressions. • I can list my likes and dislikes. • I can list my family members. • I can list my free-time activities. • I can list .
I can create a simple schedule or calendar with days and numbers.
I can create lists that help me in my day-to-day life.
I can write a shopping list. • I can write a to-do list. • I can write a _ list.
Presentational Writing – Novice High
I can write phrases and simple sentences to describe aspects of my everyday life. • I can write about my family and friends. • I can write about school. • I can write about myself. • I can write about _.
I can write short notes. • I can write postcards. • I can write messages (e.g. text messages, notes). • I can jot down short notes (e.g. phone numbers, times, movies).
I can write simple requests to obtain information or things that I need or want. • I can write a short email asking for information. • I can handwrite a short note asking for information.
I can write simple sentences about cultural features based on pictures or photos.
Presentational Writing – Intermediate Low
I can use a series of sentences to describe people, things, and events. • I can describe people in a series of sentences. • I can describe things in a series of sentences. • I can describe events in a series of sentences. • I can describe in a series of sentences.
I can express my opinion in writing on familiar topics.
I can express my opinion about friends, family, and school (e.g. cell phones in school). • I can express my opinion about a cultural topic (e.g. Japanese comics) • I can express my opinion about .
I can compare things in a series of sentences. • I can compare places. • I can compare people. • I can compare events. • I can compare .
I can write questions to obtain and clarify information. • I can ask questions in a letter or email about other people (e.g. Where do you life? What do you like to do?). • I can ask questions about events (e.g. What do you during a holiday?). • I can ask questions about places (e.g. Can you recommend a good place to eat dinner?). • I can ask questions about _.
Presentational Writing – Intermediate Mid
I can write a series of sentences about familiar topics. • I can write a short report. • I can write a letter. • I can write an email. • I can write a ___.
I can express my opinion and give reasons to support it.
I can describe, tell about, and explain with some detail things that I know about or have experienced and how I feel about it. • I can tell and retell simple stories in written form. • I can write about a childhood experience and how I felt about it. • I can write about a job and how I felt about it. • I can provide some details when writing about personal preferences and experiences. • I can describe a meaningful experience.
Presentational Writing – Intermediate High
I can describe, narrate, and explain my personal experiences, everyday events, and topics of general interest in paragraph form.
I can justify my opinions by expressing my thoughts with supporting details.
I can write about present, past, and future events. • I can write a series of paragraphs. • I can write memos. • I can write business letters. • I can write summaries. • I can write compositions. • I can write reports.